Observation on the efficacy of acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment after stroke

OBJECTIVE: This study applied acupuncture as an early intervention in patients with mild cognitive impairment after stroke, to explore the therapeutic significance of acupuncture for post-stroke cognitive impairment and to provide a basis for a more effective intervention that is easily accepted by patients in clinical practice. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial design was used. Fifty patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment who met the diagnostic and inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 25 cases in each group. All patients received basic treatment for cerebrovascular disease; the treatment group received acupuncture combined with oral nimodipine, and the control group received oral nimodipine. Each patient was treated for 3 months. Patients were assessed before and after treatment with the Mini-Mental State Examination, the revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale and the Activities of Daily Living scale. RESULTS: (1) Both groups improved their Mini-Mental State Examination and revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores after treatment (P<0.05), and the treatment group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). (2) Both groups improved the patients' activities of daily living after treatment, and the treatment group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). (3) The comparison of efficacy between the two groups after treatment showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.05), indicating that the treatment group was superior to the control group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has a clear effect on improving cognitive function after stroke; it is more easily accepted by patients, and patient compliance is good.